January 31, 2009 2:54 pm

Tampa, Fla. – Former Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Cortez Kennedy will have to wait another year for another opportunity next year to be selected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kennedy did not make the first reduction of the 15 finalists for induction, when the list was reduced down to 10.

Ex-Seahawk John Randle also did not make the final cut, getting eliminated as the selection committee reduced its list to the final five.

Heading to Canton are career sacks leader Bruce Smith, defensive back Rod Woodson Bills owner Ralph Wilson, the late Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas, former Minnesota and Tampa Bay guard Randall McDaniel and the late Bob Hayes, an elective wideout for Dallas and the 1964 Olympic 100 meters gold medalist.

Inductions will be held on Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio. The six-member class brings the total numbers of Hall of Fame members to 253.

Kennedy, who spent all 11 years of his NFL career with Seattle, made the finalist list for the first time this season. He appeared to have a legitimate chance to get into the Hall of Fame, but failed to make the list of final 10. Kennedy was selected as the NFL defensive player of the year in 1992 on a team that finished 2-14 that season. Kennedy also went to eight Pro Bowls and was selected to the all-decade team for the 90s.

Randle dropped off the list when the final five were selected.

He spent time with the Seahawks from 2001 to 2003 after an 11-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings that included six Pro Bowls. Randle also earned a Pro Bowl selection while with the Seahawks in 2001.

To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum 80 percent vote from the committee.

It was an emotional scene for those who were selected. Smith openly wept, and thanked his parents for providing the support that allowed him to become one of the best pass rushers in the league.

"I am blessed right now to be standing in front of you," said Smith, with tears welling in his eyes. "I cry because I am not less than a man but because I am a man."

Lucille Hester, Hayes’ sister, shouted when her brother’s name was announced, and joyfully wept while former Dallas Cowboys’ receiver Michael Irvin held her.

Hester read a note Hayes wrote before he died in case he made the Hall of Fame. Hayes thanked people from the city of Dallas to the Dallas Cowboys to the city of Jacksonville, Fla., where he grew up.

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About

Gregg Bell joined The News Tribune in July 2014. Bell had been the director of writing for the University of Washington's athletic department for four years. He was the senior national sports writer in Seattle for The Associated Press from 2005-10, covering the Seahawks in their first Super Bowl season and beyond. He's also been The Sacramento Bee's beat writer on the Oakland Athletics and Raiders. The native of Steubenville, Ohio, is a 1993 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and a 2000 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.

Feeds

If a guy like Fred Dean can make the HOF last year, Tez certainly should be in. He was a better player than Dean ever was. The way the HOF has been watered down (NFL – Fred Dean ’08, MLB – Jim Rice ’09)… it’s a bit sickening. I always thought the HOF was truly for the best of the best. Oh well, I’m more concerned with winning the SB next year.

If Tez would have played on a Super Bowl champion, he would be in the HOF. Sad, but it’s true. Harry Carson was a solid ILB for many years. If he would have played on an average team, there’s no way he’d be in the HOF but since he was a good player on two Super Bowl winners — walla — he’s in.

I’m certainly not saying he is the best DT of all -time (and I don’t believe he is), but for that one season especially — I have never seen a better DT.

I want to live in a perfect world; one in which the economy begins to proper and the Seahawks win a Super Bowl. For that to happen, we need a draft like…

Trade #4 to SF for #10 and 2nd rounder.
Trade Hill to StL for 2nd rounder. Division rival may be only way we can trade him (since he could hurt us) for an early pick.
Trade 10th pick to someone at 13-16 and add a 3rd rounder.
Trade 10th pick in 2nd round to someone around the mid 20s in round 2 and pick-up a 2nd rounder in ’10.
Trade acquired mid 20s pick in round 2 to someone for a 2nd rounder in ’10 and a 3rd rounder in ’11.

Lol. Okay, I’ll indulge (only because 4 years ago tonight was one of the greatest nights of my life. And it was in Detroit, can you believe that?) Got to resign Hill to trade him. So how about this; franchise (non-exclusive) him, someone else makes him an offer the ‘Hawks don’t match…walla… two free first rounders (one this year, one next). Now, BobbyK, you got two picks in the first to wheel and deal. That’s the easy part, as for the next Tom Brady…

What did you do the Saturdaynight before the Super Bowl to make it so great?

We drove to Detroit and went downtown on Fridaynight… and it sucked being cold… We went to all the festivities (NFL Experience, etc.) on that Saturday, but went back to our hotel and found a local bar since the Fridaynight experience was so-so thanks to the weather and everyting was mostly outdoors (we were about 15 minutes from downtown) and had a few beers or 10. Nothing too exciting, but definitely fun.

Aside from beating the Dolphins in the divisional round in the 83/84 play-offs, seeing the “Seahawks” painted on the end zone was probably my greatest Seahawk memory when we walked into Ford Field.

The only thing that could top that experience would be to actually go the game and win it.

I like your idea of someone signing Hill from the franchise tag and getting 2 first rounders for him. That would be really, really cool. We could turn that into Duke Robinson this year and someone else next year!

I also like your statement earlier about not wanting to lose him for nothing. It sucks losing good players for nothing (part of the reason I’m still irate for losing the future HOFer who shall remain unnamed — especially when he’s still in the prime of his career).

I was with my cousin, and we didn’t do anything, really. We were staying in Dearborn and had dinner and cocktails in some bar. Then ended up at the hotel bar and closed it down. It was just the fact we couldn’t believe it was happening. We were so giddy, it was ridiculous. Just laughing and calling friends. Sounds like we had similar nights.

It’s funny you mention walking into Ford Field. It reminded me of when I was little and going to games in the Kingdom. That feeling of anticipation as you begin to see the field from the tunnel. My god, I almost cried when I saw their end zone.

The Hill thing is tough, I’ll admit. But I just don’t see any reasonable way around not resigning him. And unfortunately that may mean over paying for him for a year with the franchise tag. The thing that worried me more and more is Hasslebeck. He isn’t even working out yet. Now, I know he’s not Brady Quinn or anything, but the fact he hasn’t been cleared to do any lifting yet has me very concerned. I don’t see his replacement in this draft, at all. But the time has come to realistically begin considering this teams future without him. That is an awful thought.

Pick Analysis: The Seahawks selection of (John) Carlson comes at somewhat of a surprise with a player like Fred Davis still on the board. But in Carlson Seattle gets a player who has solid blocking potential, though he appears limited in his pass-catching ability.

The bobbyk analysis: Who cares about what the “experts” say? I know all of us read the scouting reports and all… but I hope Ruskell can:

A. Actually make a good 1st round pick (Moreno in a trade down scenario)
and
B. Keep up the great 2nd/3rd round picks (minus David Greene)…

Just reading your experiences, makes me jealous. I was 16 when they made it to the Superbowl and had to watch it in the privacy of my home. So I couldn’t have gone even if I wanted to. But boy would I do anything to see them in the Superbowl one day.

And yeah, I agree with you Dukeshire. The fact that Hass isn’t working out yet worries me as well. Isn’t he going to or should be cleared soon? I hope so. Ah, you mentioned Brady Quinn.. 24 REPS! Whooo!

It’s great to look back at what the “experts” have to say. Carlson was also knocked for being too slow. Ruskell needs to hit a homerun with the 1st rounder. I know I’ve been pushing for o line, and I still believe this is where they should go, but in the end as long as whoever he takes improves that position, I’ll be happy. If he whiffs again, it should cost him his job. He will have had (already) enough chances.

Yeah, he’s meeting with his dr in LA in a couple of weeks. What I’m about to say is a totally unrealistic comparison, but I have had back problems as well. I know one thing, in my case flexibility and strength (lower back in my case) were / are the only things that make it manageable. When I read that he’s not doing / able / cleared to workout, I wonder what is really going on. But hey, he’s a professional and he’s got the best care available, so we’ll see.

Duke – I have had some back problems too, and as I’m sure you know, it sucks. I like the comparison though.

IF healthy Matt is a stud! We both know that.

This makes me think we are going to run the ball more (Moreno – and with Knapp’s track record) and beef up our OLine (Gross in FA) and focus on defense in the draft (then we miss out on Duke Robinson).

We have to protect Matt — running game improvement and in pass pro…

moeflo — I don’t know what I’ll do either if he’s not healthy… maybe be mad for another year???

Hands down…Largent was the best player ever to wear Seahawk blue. Curt Warner had the most talent, but got hurt. Easley was one of the best SS I’ve seen play the game, and his career was cut short too. But Largent, went he walked off the field for the last time, he held every major receiving record the NFL has. Not to shabby for a small, slow, free agent. My favorite Largent moment was when he leveled Smith from the Broncos who’d intercepted a pass, and caused a fumble which Largent recovered. Steve had spent most of the year watching when Smith broke his jaw in the first divisional game. Ahh..sweet justice, and damn good football.

More on #80. The Seahawks weren’t exactly the elite of the NFL when Largent played. Everybody knew they were gonna throw him the ball, and he still made catches. He made the most AMAZING catches. From snagging balls inches from the turf to grabbing a TD over the back of the DB. Not only that, but not once did he spike the ball after a score. Just tossed it to the ref. He made the HOF in his first year of eligibility. He also had no agent and negotiated his own contract. His last season he made ….finger in the corner of the mouth…ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Another era. Now we’re looking at paying $10 mil for a guy who hasn’t done anything yet.

Ouch, back problems.
Luckily I don’t have back problems but do know people my age who do. I’ll go knock of wood now.

Bobbyk- As for Matt, no I’d be more than angry for another year. And if he does play and the O-line doesn’t protect him.. Watch out O-line. I’m coming after you. Haha Not really but.. That’s how I’d feel!

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